NORWALK -- The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has introduced a new toll-free number to connect residents seeking treatment for opioid addiction to local walk-in assessment centers.

Norwalk's provider in the program is Connecticut Renaissance (CR). For CR Program Director Melodie Keen, the walk-in aspect of the program allows patients the opportunity to take immediate action in beginning treatment.

"It's not always easy for people to take that first step to get help. When people are ready for treatment they can come in without having an appointment, and they will be seen," Keen said.

Keen said that once a patient is assessed, outpatient services will be available at CR and, if needed, referrals to medical detox centers may be made.

"When someone is seeking help with an addiction, there is ambivalence-as much as you want help and want to make a change, it's sometimes easier to continue what you're doing," Keen said. "If someone is ambivalent, we also offer motivational techniques to help someone go in the right direction."

"This is one of the programs that the state is doing in response to the opioid epidemic in Connecticut. While we don't see as much of it (opioid addiction) here as in other parts of the state, it is an issue locally," Keen said. "When we were asked to do this, we considered the feasibility of people coming in without appointments. At the very least we will conduct a relatively brief assessment, but in most cases a full-blown assessment will happen."

Connecticut residents will now be able to call (800)563-4086, 24 hours a day, to connect them or a loved one to a walk-in assessment center in their area.

"We need to do everything possible to fight addiction-this is no doubt an alarming nationwide trend. This number is a commonsense step that we hope will support those who need it," Gov. Dannel Malloy said. "We encourage anyone who needs help to get it."

DMHAS said in a prepared statement that callers to the 800 number will be followed up with a phone call by trained staff to determine if they were able to connect to necessary services, and to solve any barriers they may have encountered.

"With the launch of the 800 number, we will now be able to give residents seeking treatment for opioid abuse a central phone number so they may start on the road to recovery," said Connecticut DMHAS Commissioner, Miriam Delphin-Rittmon. "We know that treatment works. By calling this number and connecting to one of our assessment centers, we can get people the support and hope they need to help beat addiction."

At any of the state's walk-in assessment centers it will be determined which course of treatment and services the individual is eligible for, what will work best for them and to address any insurance-related issues.

"We would like people to know that our doors are open and when they are ready for help we are ready to help them," Keen said.